Physical and Biological Monitoring of HVT Tributaries

This plan focuses on identifying on-the-ground restoration needs as observed and measured by fisheries technicians. Parameters assessed in this plan have been selected specifically because they are treatable. Other parameters such as habitat complexity and residual pool depths are also important to healthy fish habitat but have not been included in this assessment plan because they are not directly treatable as an independent issue. For example, if residual pool depths are found to be deficient, one cannot dig out larger pools with a shovel and a bucket; the issue is a symptom of other factors such as sediment deliveries from upslope or near-stream sources.
• Riparian buffer deficiencies, including areas lacking sufficient riparian cover and/or young trees (especially conifers) for future large wood recruitment. Areas with riparian buffer deficiencies will be prioritized for tree planting, etc;

• Fish passage, including obstructions caused by culverts, road crossings, and other barriers within anadromous stream zones. Obstructions to fish passage will be prioritized for remediation to maximize the extent of anadromous habitat on the reservation;

• Erosion, including observations of stream adjacent landslides, bank failures, unstable banks and other miscellaneous sources of fine sediment inputs; Areas of inner-gorge and stream adjacent erosion will be prioritized for remediation to reduce sediment delivery to streams;

• Large woody debris deficiencies, as measured by density per stream mile; Areas deficient in LWD will be considered for remediation (i.e. placement and/or recruitment of additional LWD in deficient areas).

Survey results and substrate composition records will be compiled and analyzed by Tribal Fisheries biologists. Results will be compared across survey years to facilitate trend analysis, and provide baseline data for future monitoring efforts.